Passenger fails to mind the gap at Stirling train station, commuters work together to free him

People power2:44

Perth train commuters worked together to free a man who became stuck between a train and platform today. Courtesy: Public Transport Authority

August 6th 2014

3 years ago

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A MAN has described his “shock” at being caught between a train and a platform at a Perth train station, sparking a massive rescue effort and thousands of headlines across the globe.

The passenger, known only as Andy, has talked to Nine News Perth about the ordeal.

“It’s something I’ll be telling my grandchildren about,” he said.

Andy told Nine News he was waiting to get on the train properly when his foot slipped.

“I was just waiting to get on and my foot slipped down there,” he said.

“The outcome could have been terrible, worst case scenario I could have lost my leg.”

Andy told Nine it took him a while to regain balance once he was free.

“I was feeling a little bit of shock,” he said.

“I was sort of a bit wobbly on my feet, it took me a while to sort of get my balance.”

The 29-year-old said he was “amazed” by the world-wide reaction to the ordeal.

“I was amazed, I had no idea it was that big of an incident,” he said.

“Thanks to the commuters who were probably held up and late to work, and took the time to get out of the train and help tilt the train to free me.”

The Perth train passenger, known only as Andy, has talked to Nine News Perth about the ordeal.Source:Supplied

Footage of Andy’s fellow passengers pushing against train carriage at Stirling Station to free the trapped commuter has made headlines around the world.

News reports in the US, Europe and India have all shared footage of the rescue which saw dozens of passengers help out the fellow train user who fell into the gap between the train and the station platform.

SEARCH FOR HEROES - Do you recognise these two people, pictured below?

Do you recognise this man?Source:Supplied

Do you recognise this woman?Source:Supplied

The Public Transport Authority shared the video of the rescue yesterday after the commuter’s leg got stuck at Stirling Station about 8.50am causing a delay for the city-bound train.

Since then the footage has been viewed more than 80,000 times on PerthNow.

Nicolas Taylor said he and fellow passengers got off the train and worked together to free the man by pushing against the carriage away from the platform.

People power: Commuters helped free a man who got his leg stuck between a train and a platform. Picture: Renae BryantSource:Supplied

The train moved on its suspension enough for the man to get out from the sticky situation.

“He was walking so he was reasonably OK,” Mr Taylor said.

“He seemed to be a bit sheepish, because right where he fell was the ‘mind the gap’ writing.”

Mr Taylor said Transperth staff coordinated the incident well with it only taking about 10 minutes.

“They did a really good job, they took control and handled it well,” he said.

“When I first saw it I thought we’d be there for hours.”

People push a train to free a stuck commuter at Stirling station. Picture: PTASource:Supplied

Transperth spokesman David Hynes said station staff alerted the driver so the train did not leave the station.

“Our staff were within metres of the man when it happened and immediately went to his assistance,” he said.

“After ensuring that the train would remain stationary they organised for passengers to alight and coordinated their efforts to tilt the train carriage away from the platform so that the man could be rescued.

Train commuters work to free a man who became stuck in between the train and platform at Stirling station this morning. Picture: Public Transport AuthoritySource:Supplied

“The man was freed safely and we handed him over to emergency services. We understand he was not badly injured because he stayed at the station and boarded a later train to the city.

“Despite the station meeting the latest accessibility standards in terms of the gap between platform and train, somehow his leg managed to slip in between.”

Mr Hynes also thanked the passengers involved in the rescue.

“We hear a lot about poor behaviour on public transport,” he said.

“It’s really great when something like this happens and people work together to help a fellow commuter.”

Perth train guy makes international news0:38

The man who feel between the platform and the train in Perth has made international news, as seen in this news story from Fox News America.